TIRANA, Sept. 30 /ATA/ – Main opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said on Wednesday he had sought support from European institutions in what he described as the fight against a “narco-state” in Albania.
Speaking in a video message from Strasbourg, where he is attending the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Berisha accused the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama of links to organised crime and drug trafficking.
Berisha said he had raised what he described as the consequences of the government’s policies for Albania’s economy, agriculture, industry and demographic trends.
He also alleged that “Albania plays a major role in the trafficking of cannabis to Europe and that Albanian criminal groups are involved in transporting cocaine from Latin America.” He called for greater support from European institutions, saying the issue posed a risk beyond Albania’s borders.
Berisha also criticised developments in Serbia, referring to the use of images of convicted Bosnian Serb wartime commander Ratko Mladic in political campaigning. He accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of relying on support from elements linked to the region’s wartime past and called for measures against Serbia within the Council of Europe.
He said the situation was contrary to European principles and posed a risk to regional stability.
Berisha also raised concerns about media freedom in Albania, alleging that most media outlets were controlled by an alliance involving the government, businesses and criminal groups. He called for international action to protect journalists and media freedom.
In concluding his message, Berisha said Albanian democracy was “in agony” and accused the government of consolidating an authoritarian system based on crime, drugs and corruption.
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